WE OPEN ACCESS TO SPACE TO IMPROVE LIFE ON EARTH

Mission

Our Team

Funding

History

LIFTING HUMAN POTENTIAL

We're in an exciting new era of small satellite technology - one that’s making life on Earth better. We all rely on satellites. They connect us, keep us safe, help us understand our planet and manage our impact on it, and enable us to innovate and explore. There are endless possibilities for what we can achieve with better access to space, but until now it has been hard to get there.

The satellites of today are getting smaller, doing more and costing less – and thousands of them need to get on orbit. Small satellites have been promised frequent, reliable and affordable dedicated launch for decades. Rocket Lab is delivering on this with a tailored, responsive launch service operating right now.

Meet the team redefining
how we access space

Board of Directors

Peter Beck

CEO, CTO, Founder

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Sven Strohband

Khosla Ventures

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David Cowan

Bessemer Venture Partners

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Scott Smith

COO, Iridium Satellites

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Matt Ocko

Data Collective

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Rocket Lab Executive Leadership

Peter Beck

CEO, CTO, Founder

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Adam Spice

Chief Financial Officer

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Shaun O'Donnell

VP - Global Operations

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Lars Hoffman

SVP - Global Launch Services

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Shane Fleming

VP - Mission Management

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Lachlan Matchett

VP - Propulsion

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Shaun D'Mello

VP - Launch

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Peter Beck

CEO, CTO, Founder

Peter Beck is the founder and chief executive of Rocket Lab. Since founding the business in 2006, Peter has grown Rocket Lab to become a globally recognized industry leader in space and a billion-dollar company employing world-class engineers and technicians.

Peter established Rocket Lab’s Electron orbital launch program in 2013. Peter also oversaw the development of the world’s first and only private orbital launch range, located on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula. He played a crucial role in establishing international treaties and legislation to enable orbital launch capability from New Zealand. That capability was realized in January 2018 with Rocket Lab’s first orbital launch of the Electron rocket.

Under Peter’s guidance, Rocket Lab’s launch model will see thousands of small satellites reach orbit on their terms.

Sven Strohband

Khosla Ventures

Sven Strohband was appointed to the board of Rocket Lab in 2013. Sven is the Chief Technology Officer of Khosla Ventures, and he has led the technical diligence for numerous investment opportunities. Prior to Khosla Ventures, Sven spent six years at Mohr Davidow Ventures and earlier was a project manager at Volkswagen. Sven holds a doctorate and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University.

David Cowan

Bessemer Venture Partners

David Cowan was appointed to the board of Rocket Lab in 2014. David launched Bessemer’s practices in cloud infrastructure, consumer tech, cyber-security and space tech. During David’s time with Bessemer his portfolio has included companies such as LinkedIn, Twitch and Skybox Imaging. David has also co-founded three cyber security companies and overseen over 20 IPOs. David holds an MBA from Harvard University.

Scott Smith

COO, Iridium Satellites

Scott Smith was appointed to the board of Rocket Lab in 2014. As the Chief Operating Officer of Iridium, Scott leads technology development and all ground and satellite operations. Scott has 33 years of experience managing large, complex commercial satellite programs. Scott holds a master’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering from Stanford University.

Matt Ocko

Data Collective

Matt Ocko was appointed to the board of Rocket Lab in 2016. Matt, a Managing Partner of Data Collective (DCVC), has three decades of experience as both entrepreneur and VC. His current and prior investments include companies in orbital imaging and intelligence, applied AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and national defense, with 10 IPOs and acquisitions each worth $1 billion or more. He founded email pioneer Da Vinci Systems, which had more than one million users worldwide before acquisition. Matt holds over 40 hardware and software patents, and has a degree in physics from Yale University.

Peter Beck

CEO, CTO, Founder

Peter Beck founded Rocket Lab in 2006 following a decade and a half of propulsion research and market development in the international space community. Peter has since established Rocket Lab in both New Zealand and the United States as a premier institute for innovative space systems. Peter is the head visionary and chief engineer behind Rocket Lab.

In 2009, Peter led the development and launch of Atea 1, with Rocket Lab becoming the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space. Noting a need for launch services focused on the growing small satellite industry, Peter initiated the Electron program in 2012.

Peter is an acclaimed scientist and engineer, having been awarded a Meritorious Medal from the Royal Aeronautical Society for service of an exceptional nature, and the Cooper Medal, presented by the Royal Society (NZ) bi-annually to those deemed to have published the best single account of research in physics and engineering. In 2015, Peter was awarded New Zealander of the Year (innovation) and in 2016 was recognized as New Zealand EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Adam Spice

Chief Financial Officer

Adam Spice is the Chief Financial Officer at Rocket Lab. Adam has more than 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, facilities, procurement and leadership across more than 50 strategic acquisition and investments transactions representing approximately $7 billion.

As Rocket Lab’s Chief Financial Officer, Adam is focused building out world-case business teams and scalable corporate infrastructure that can be leveraged into new and expanding markets that are capable of supporting billions of dollars a year in revenue in a very short period of time.

Adam joined Rocket Lab in 2018 following seven years at MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE:MXL), a leading provider of radio frequency (RF), analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for the connected home, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multimarket applications.

In his role as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at MaxLinear, Adam played a key role in growing the business from approximately $70 million in 2010 to one that generated $421 million in revenues in 2017. Prior to Maxlinear, Adam held a variety of financial and operational executive roles over approximately 10 years at Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: AVGO), and prior to that began his career at Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC).

Adam holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Brigham Young University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin.

Shaun O'Donnell

VP - Global Operations

Shaun O’Donnell is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Rocket Lab New Zealand and manages a large number of cross-functional teams. He has been with the company for over a decade leading the development of a number of complex space systems.

Previously, Shaun was the head of the Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) division at Rocket Lab, and had broad responsibility over all electronic and software systems on board Electron. Shaun has been involved with Rocket Lab since 2007, where he was solely responsible for all avionics and software systems, including the Atea 1, Instant Eyes and VLM projects.

Shaun holds an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree from the University of Auckland.

Lars Hoffman

SVP - Global Launch Services

Lars Hoffman is Rocket Lab’s Senior Vice President of Global Launch Services. In this role, he leads the business development and customer experience strategy for the Electron program. With more than 30 years of experience in national security and aerospace, Lars has deep knowledge of the launch industry and the ever-evolving needs of satellite owners and operators.

Prior to joining Rocket Lab, Lars was the Senior Director of Government Sales at SpaceX, where he was responsible for National Security Space (NSS) strategy and business development.

Lars also led a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, including roles at the Pentagon. He holds advanced engineering degrees from the United States Air Force Academy, the Air Force Institute of Technology and the United States Air Force Test Pilot School. He also earned national security degrees from MIT, Air University and National Defense University and an M.B.A. from UCLA.

Shane Fleming

VP - Mission Management

Shane Fleming leads the Mission Management team based at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Huntington Beach, California. Previously, Shane managed the operations at Rocket Lab's Auckland, New Zealand facility, as well as Launch Complex 1. With a decade of experience developing and commercializing innovative and disruptive technologies, Shane is accustomed to leading diverse teams and navigating complex international projects.

Prior to Rocket Lab, Shane spent seven years at biotechnology firm LanzaTech, leading the Global Engineering Operations and managing teams of engineers, scientists, and technicians at five production facilities in four countries across China, Taiwan, Japan, and the US.Shane has a background in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Lachlan Matchett

VP - Propulsion

Lachlan Matchett is responsible for all propulsion activities at Rocket Lab. This includes all orbital propulsion systems including the Rutherford sea level and vacuum engines. Lachlan was responsible for the initial design of the Rutherford engine and has managed the development of the engine from concept through flight qualification and production.

Lachlan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Shaun D'Mello

VP - Launch

Shaun D’Mello is responsible for enabling and delivering Rocket Lab’s global launch capability. As the Vice President of Launch, Shaun directs the end-to-end execution of launch operations, development and operation of launch sites, safety assurance, launch licensing and regulatory compliance programs to ultimately enables safe, frequent and reliable launch.

While at Rocket Lab, Shaun has overseen the site selection, design, development and operations of the world’s first private orbital launch range, Launch Complex 1 in Mahia New Zealand, and more recently Launch Complex 2 in Wallops Island, USA. Shaun has been with the Rocket Lab team since 2014 and has held roles in launch engineering, flight safety and management.

Shaun has a First Class Honors degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Sydney, and is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Prior to joining Rocket Lab, Shaun has worked on the design of light experimental aircraft, and the research, development and testing of composite structures for automotive and aerospace applications.

Rocket Lab is a privately funded company

History

Incorporation of Rocket Lab

2006

2009

First Private Company in Southern Hemisphere to Reach Space - ATEA 1

2009

2006

2010

DARPA Viscous Liquid Monopropellant – Proof of Concept

2010

2009

2011

Commercial Release of Instant Eyes Product

2011

2010

2012

DARPA Viscous Liquid Monopropellant – Flight Tech Demo

2012

2011

2013

Closed A Round of Investment for Electron Program with Khosla Ventures and K1W1

2014

2015

Selection of Rocket Lab Launch Site in Mahia, New Zealand

2015

2015

2016

Qualification of Rutherford Engine and Second Stage of Electron Launch Vehicle

2016

2015

2016

Site Completion of Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1

2016

2016

2017

Closed D Round of Investment for Electron Program led by Data Collective, with additional investors Promus Ventures and an undisclosed investor. Renewed participation was also included in this round from our existing investors - Khosla Ventures, Bessemer

2017

2016

2017

On May 25, 2017, Rocket Lab made history with the successful launch of its first Electron rocket, 'It’s a Test' from Rocket Lab LC-1 in Mahia, New Zealand

2018

2017

2018

On January 21st , 2018, Rocket Lab successfully flew and tested a apogee kick stage on the 'Still Testing' Electron launch vehicle, using it to circularize the orbits of the two Spire Lemur-2 CubeSats on board.